Device management device and recording medium

ABSTRACT

In a device management device, a storage part stores device information pieces of devices on a network, an acquisition part acquires a device information piece of one of the devices via the network, and a detection part compares the device information piece with each of the device information pieces stored in the storage part, and detects at least one of installation, movement, addition, change, and disposal events with respect to the one of the devices. A transforming part transforms both identification information of the one of the devices and device information items corresponding to the detected event into data that enables an asset management device to manage the data. A transmission part transmits the data to the asset management device via the network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/226,085 filed on Sep. 6, 2011, which is basedupon and claims the benefit of priority of Japanese patent applicationNo. 2010-208217, filed on Sep. 16, 2010, and Japanese patent applicationNo. 2011-163351, filed on Jul. 26, 2011, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a device management device and arecording medium which are adapted to manage devices on a network.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the demand for IT (information technology) assetmanagement in corporations is increasing from a viewpoint of legalregulation and cost reduction. An increasing number of corporationsmanage not only PC (personal computers) or software, but also networkdevices, such as MFP (multifunction peripherals) or LP (laser printers),as a part of the IT assets.

Although a large number of asset management support tools (assetmanagement systems) to automate the management of the PC or softwarehave been developed, there is no adequate management support tool forautomating the management of the MFP or LP. The actual situation of mostof the corporations is that an asset book is created and managed byusing a guidance manual in order to perform the management of the MFP orLP.

For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2009-301217discloses an asset management support processing system. In this assetmanagement support processing system, when an approved application foruse of an asset management object is detected, an application ID isacquired. An asset ID is added to each approved device. Specifically, anasset serial number that is common to a device associated with a sameuser ID and a device classification corresponding to a device code areadded to an application ID, so that an asset ID is generated. A processof registration of an asset management ledger in a database and aprocess of transmission of a new delivery request are performed.

On the other hand, conventional device management support tools(software) which have been widely used in the related art are mainlyaimed at automating searching of a device on a network, detection of analert, and reception of a counter.

However, in the asset management support system according to the relatedart, a device management device that is capable of acquiring deviceinformation of devices on a network, and an asset management device thatmanages the devices on the network as IT assets are arrangedindependently of each other. Hence, even if the device management deviceis introduced into the asset management system including the assetmanagement device, the asset management device is unable to use theinformation treated by the device management device. There is a problemin that the asset management system has difficulty in performingefficient asset management.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a device managementdevice which is adapted to transmit information used for assetmanagement to an asset management device and allow the asset managementdevice to perform efficient asset management.

In an embodiment which solves or reduces one or more of theabove-described problems, the present disclosure provides a devicemanagement device that is connected to devices and an asset managementdevice via a network, the asset management device arranged to manageassets of the devices on the network, the device management deviceincluding: a storage unit to store device information pieces of thedevices; an acquisition unit to acquire a device information piece ofone of the devices via the network in accordance with a communicationprotocol that conforms to the one of the devices; a detection unit tocompare the device information piece acquired by the acquisition unitwith each of the device information pieces stored in the storage unit,and to detect at least one of installation, movement, addition, change,and disposal events with respect to the one of the devices; atransforming unit to transform both identification information of theone of the devices and device information items corresponding to the atleast one event detected by the detection unit into data that enablesthe asset management device to manage the data; and a transmission unitto transmit the data from the transforming unit to the asset managementdevice via the network.

In an embodiment which solves or reduces one or more of theabove-described problems, the present disclosure provides anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a programwhich, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform adevice management method for use in a device management device that isconnected to devices and an asset management device via a network, theasset management device arranged to manage assets of the devices on thenetwork, the device management method including: acquiring, by anacquisition unit, a device information piece of one of the devices viathe network in accordance with a communication protocol that conforms tothe one of the devices; comparing, by a detection unit, the acquireddevice information piece with each of device information pieces of thedevices stored in a storage unit; detecting, by the detection unit, atleast one of installation, movement, addition, change, and disposalevents with respect to the one of the devices; transforming, by atransforming unit, both identification information of the one of thedevices and device information items corresponding to the at least oneevent detected by the detection unit into data that enables the assetmanagement device to manage the data; and transmitting, by atransmission unit, the data from the transforming unit to the assetmanagement device via the network.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system to which a devicemanagement device of an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware composition of a devicemanagement device of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of thedevice management device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of a deviceinformation managing unit in the device management device of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of device information stored in adevice information database in the device management device of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of asset information stored in anasset information database in an asset management device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of device basic information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of option information.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of theinformation transmitted to a transforming unit in the device managementdevice of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of theinformation transmitted to the asset management device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process of detection of IMACDevents performed by the device management device of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of adevice management device of a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of adevice information managing unit in the device management device of thesecond embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will be given of embodiments of the present disclosurewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system to which a devicemanagement device of an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a device management device 1,an asset management device 2, a client PC (personal computer) 3, an MFP(multifunction peripheral) 4, an LP (laser printer) 5, an MFP 6, and anLP 7, which are interconnected by a network 8. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and the kindsand the number of devices connected to the network in the system of thepresent disclosure may be arbitrary.

The device management device 1 performs a process of management of thedevices connected to the network 8, a process of detection of IMACD(Install, Move, Add, Change, Disposal) events, and a process oftransmission of a notice to an external device (the asset managementdevice 2) via the network 8.

The asset management device 2 manages the assets such as the devices onthe network 8. The asset management device 2 receives information fromthe device management device 1 via the network 8, and uses the receivedinformation for the asset management.

The client PC 3 is a personal computer that is used by a user, a systemengineer (SE), or a help desk person. The client PC 3 uses a browser toaccess the device management device 1 and manages the devices on thenetwork 8 in conjunction with the device management device 1. The clientPC 3 uses the browser to access the asset management device 2 andmanages the assets (asset management) in conjunction with the assetmanagement device 2.

In the system of FIG. 1, the device management device 1 periodicallyreceives device information from the device connected to the network 8,such as the MFP 4 or the LP 5, and manages the received deviceinformation. The device management device 1 transmits the informationused for the asset management, to the asset management device 2.

Next, the hardware composition of a device management device 1 of afirst embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware composition of the devicemanagement device 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, theinformation processing device 1 is constructed to include a control part11, a main memory part 12, a secondary memory part 13, an externalstorage interface part 14, and a network interface part 15. Thesecomponent parts are interconnected by a bus 16, and transmission andreception of data between two of these component parts may be performedthrough the bus 16.

The control part 11 is a CPU that controls respective parts of acomputer and performs computations and processing of data in thecomputer. The control part 11 is a processing unit that executes aprogram stored in the main memory part 12, receives data from an inputunit or a memory part, and performs computation or processing of thedata so that the computed or processed data is output to an output unitor a memory part.

The main memory part 12 includes a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (randomaccess memory), etc. The main memory part 12 is a storage device thatstores or temporarily stores the programs (an operating system (OS),application programs, etc. which are executed by the control part 11)and data relevant to the programs.

The secondary memory part 13 is, for example, a HDD (hard disk drive).The secondary memory part 13 is a storage device that stores datarelevant to the application programs, etc.

The external storage interface part 14 is an interface part between thedevice management device 1 and a recording medium 18 (for example, aflash memory) which is connected via a data transmission path, such asUSB (universal serial bus).

A predetermined program may be stored in the recording medium 18. Thepredetermined program stored in the recording medium 18 may be installedin the device management device 1 through the external storage interfacepart 14. The predetermined program may be executable in the devicemanagement device 1.

The network interface part 15 is an interface part between the devicemanagement device 1 and a peripheral device having a communicationfunction. The peripheral device is connected to the device managementdevice 1 via a network, such as a LAN (local area network) or a WAN(wide area network), which is constructed with data transmission paths,such as wired or wireless transmission paths.

The device management device 1 may be constructed to include an inputunit or a display unit. For example, the input unit includes a keyboardwith cursor keys, numeric keys, function keys, etc., and a mouse forperforming selection of a button key on a screen of the display unit.The input unit is a user interface for allowing a user to input data orenter operational instructions to the control part 11.

The display unit is formed of a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a LCD (liquidcrystal display), and performs displaying of an image on a displaymonitor in accordance with the display data received from the controlpart 11.

The hardware composition of the asset management device 2 in FIG. 1 isessentially the same as that of the device management device 1 in FIG.2, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of thedevice management device 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the client PC 3 is constructed to include a webbrowser 301. The web browser 301 displays a UI (user interface) of thedevice management device 1 and receives information from the devicemanagement device 1 via the network.

The device management device 1 is constructed to include a communicationunit 101, an application 102, a device information managing unit 103, atimer 104, a device information database 105, and an external devicetransmitting unit 106.

The communication unit 101 transmits information to the client PC 3 andreceives information from the client PC 3 via the network. Thecommunication unit 101 is, for example, a httpd (hypertext transferprotocol daemon).

The application 102 generates a UI (user interface) by executing adevice information managing program which is equivalent to the deviceinformation managing unit 103. Furthermore, the application 102transmits the information which is input by a user using the UI, to thedevice information managing unit 103 (or the device information managingprogram).

The device information managing unit 103 detects at least one of IMACDevents of the devices connected to the network by using, for example,the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). The details of the deviceinformation managing unit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.4.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of thedevice information managing unit 103. As shown in FIG. 4, the deviceinformation managing unit 103 is constructed to include an acquisitionunit 131, a detection unit 132, and an output unit 133.

The acquisition unit 131 acquires device information from the imageforming devices, such as the MFP 4 or the LP 5, which are connected tothe network, by using a communication protocol specific to each imageforming device. The acquisition unit 131 outputs the acquired deviceinformation to the detection unit 132. The communication protocolsspecific to the image forming devices are, for example, SOAP (simpleobject access protocol) and private SNMP (simple network managementprotocol).

The detection unit 132 compares the acquired device information outputfrom the acquisition unit 131 with device information stored in thedevice information database 105 which will be described below. Based onthe result of the comparison, the detection unit 132 detects at leastone of events of new installation (Install), movement (Move), addition(Add), change (Change), and disposal (Disposal) of the image formingdevices connected to the network. Only when no change is contained inthe device information received from a certain image forming device (anMFP, an LP, etc.) connected to the network, the detection unit 132detects none of the IMACD events of the device.

The detection unit 132 outputs the device information corresponding to adetected event, and the identification information that identifies theimage forming device as the object of the detected event, to the outputunit 133. For example, the identification information is a serial numberof the image forming device as the object of the detected event.

The detection unit 132 may be configured to extract the information usedfor asset management from the device information output from theacquisition unit 131, and to perform the comparison process of theextracted information. In this case, performance of unnecessaryprocesses may be omitted. The device information may also contain thestatus information of an image forming device and the number of printingsheets.

The output unit 133 outputs the device information and theidentification information, received from the detection unit 132, to theexternal device transmitting unit 106.

Referring back to FIG. 3, when generating date/time information asadditional information of IMACD events, the timer 104 acquires a presentdate/time from the device management device 1. The device informationdatabase 105 stores the device information received from the imageforming devices connected to the network, such as the MFP 4 or the LP 5.The device information database 105 may be arranged outside the devicemanagement device 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device information storedin the device information database 105. As shown in FIG. 5, the deviceinformation contains device basic information (the block (A) in FIG. 5),option information (the block (B) in FIG. 5), application information(the block (C) in FIG. 5), setup information (the block (D) in FIG. 5),and firmware information (the block (E) in FIG. 5).

Among the device information shown in FIG. 5, the option information,the application information, the setup information, and the firmwareinformation are information specific to the image forming device ofconcern which can be received by communicating with the image formingdevice using a communication protocol specific to the image formingdevice.

The block (A) in FIG. 5 shows an example of the device basicinformation. In the block (A) in FIG. 5, the device basic informationcontains items of device ID, MAC address, model name, serial number, IPaddress, place information, first discovery date/time, option ID,application ID, setting ID, firmware ID, and disposal date/time.

When a change in an IP address of the device in the IP address itemamong the device basic information items as in the block (A) of FIG. 5is detected, the detection unit 132 detects a movement event that thedevice has been moved. The device information corresponding to thedetected movement event and the serial number that identifies the deviceare transmitted to the asset management device 2 through the externaldevice transmitting unit 106. In this example, the device informationcorresponding to the detected movement event is the IP address for theIP address item.

When a change in place information of the device in the placeinformation item among the device basic information items as in theblock (A) of FIG. 5 is detected, the detection unit 132 detects amovement event that the device has been moved. The serial number thatidentifies the device and the device information corresponding to thedetected movement event are transmitted to the asset management device 2or another external device through the external device transmitting unit106. In this example, the device information corresponding to thedetected movement event is the place information for the placeinformation item.

When a new device on the network has been detected for the first time,the detection unit 132 detects a new installation event that the devicehas been newly installed on the network. A serial number that identifiesthe new device and the device information corresponding to the detectednew installation event are transmitted to the asset management device 2through the external device transmitting unit 106. In this example, thedevice information corresponding to the detected new installation eventis a first discovery date/time of the device for the first discoverydate/time item among the device basic information items as in the block(A) of FIG. 5.

When addition of an option ID is detected, the detection unit 132detects an addition event that an option has been newly added to thedevice. The serial number that identifies the device and the deviceinformation corresponding to the detected addition event are transmittedto the asset management device 2 through the external devicetransmitting unit 106. In this example, the device informationcorresponding to the detected addition event is option ID is an optionID for the option ID item among the device basic information items as inthe block (A) of FIG. 5.

When addition of an application ID is detected, the detection unit 132detects an addition event that an application has been newly added tothe device. The serial number that identifies the device and the deviceinformation corresponding to the detected addition event are transmittedto the asset management device 2 through the external devicetransmitting unit 106. In this example, the device informationcorresponding to the detected addition event is an application ID of theapplication for the application ID item among the device basicinformation items as in the block (A) of FIG. 5.

When a change in a setup name or setup value corresponding to settinginformation of a setting ID is detected, the detection unit 132 detectsa change event that the setup name or setup value has been changed. Theserial number that identifies the device and the device informationcorresponding to the detected change event are transmitted to the assetmanagement device 2 through the external device transmitting unit 106.In this example, the device information corresponding to the detectedchange event is the changed setup name or setup value in the settinginformation of the setting ID for the setting ID item among the devicebasic information items as in the block (A) of FIG. 5.

When a change in a firmware version corresponding to a firmware of afirmware ID is detected, the detection unit 132 detects a change eventthat the version of the firmware of the firmware ID has been changed.The serial number that identifies the device and the device informationcorresponding to the detected change event are transmitted to the assetmanagement device 2 through the external device transmitting unit 106.In this example, the device information corresponding to the detectedchange event is the changed firmware version of the firmware of thefirmware ID for the firmware ID item among the device basic informationitems as in the block (A) of FIG. 5.

When it is impossible to detect a certain device on the network, thedetection unit 132 detects a disposal event that the device has beendiscarded from the network. The serial number that identifies the deviceand the device information corresponding to the detected disposal eventare transmitted to the asset management device 2 through the externaldevice transmitting unit 106. In this example, the device informationcorresponding to the detected disposal event is a disposal date/time ofthe device for the disposal date/time item among the device basicinformation items as in the block (A) of FIG. 5.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the external device transmitting unit 106transmits the serial number that identifies the device and the deviceinformation corresponding to the detected event to the asset managementdevice 2 when one of the IMACD events of the devices is detected by thedevice information managing unit 103. The external device transmittingunit 106 transmits such information to the asset management device 2 byusing, for example, the http POST command or PUT command.

Before the above information is transmitted by the external devicetransmitting unit 106 at this time, the transforming unit 107 transformsthe above information into data in a data format that enables the assetmanagement device 2 at the transmission destination to manage the data.Specifically, prior to the transmission of the above information, thetransforming unit 107 transforms the above information (to betransmitted by the external device transmitting unit 106) into data inthe data format that enables the asset management device 2 at thetransmission destination to manage the data. For example, thetransforming process performed by the transforming unit 107 may berearrangement of data, changing of keywords, conversion of data format,etc.

Alternatively, the external device transmitting unit 106 may be arrangedto perform both the transforming process by the transforming unit 107and the transmission process to transmit the resulting data from thetransforming unit 107 to the asset management device 2.

Next, the asset management device 2 will be described. As shown in FIG.3, the asset management device 2 is constructed to include acommunication unit 201, an asset information managing unit 202, and anasset information database 203.

In the first embodiment, the asset management device 2 is arrangedoutside the device management device 1, and may be considered as anexternal device of the device management device 1. Alternatively, thedevice management device and the asset management device may beconsidered as an integral management device on the network.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication unit 201 receives, from theexternal device transmitting unit 106, the information of the IMACDevent and the identification information of the device in thepredetermined data format. The communication unit 201 outputs thereceived information to the asset information managing unit 202.

The asset information managing unit 202 manages the devices on thenetwork as assets. The asset information managing unit 202 controls theinput of setup items of each device as the asset. The asset informationmanaging unit 202 specifies a device based on the identificationinformation of the device received from the communication unit 201, andupdates the asset information of the device in the asset informationdatabase 203 in accordance with the information of the IMACD eventreceived from the communication unit 201.

The asset information database 203 is a database which managesinformation of the devices, such as PCs, software modules, MFPs or LPs,as the assets. Alternatively, the asset information database 203 may bearranged outside the asset management device 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of asset information stored inthe asset information database. In the example shown in FIG. 6, theasset information contains a serial number of each device, a purchasedate, an installation date, a purchase price, a person in charge, aplace, . . . , a disposal date/time. The asset information contains theinformation of IMACD events of the devices on the network. The assetinformation stored in the asset information database is updated by theasset information managing unit 202.

For example, the above-described functions of the communication unit 101and the external device transmitting unit 106 in the first embodimentmay be performed by the control part 11, the main memory part 12, andthe network interface part 15, and the above-described function of thedevice information database 105 may be performed by the secondary memorypart 13. For example, the above-described functions of the application102, the device information managing unit 103, and the timer 104 may beperformed by the control part 11 and the main memory part 12 used as thework memory of the control part 11.

For example, the above-described functions of the device informationmanaging unit 103 may be performed by a computer (or the CPU of thecontrol part 11) in accordance with a device-implemented deviceinformation managing program when executed by the computer, and theabove-described functions of the external device transmitting unit 106may be performed by a computer (or the CPU of the control part 11) inaccordance with a device-implemented external device transmittingprogram when executed by the computer. Alternatively, the deviceinformation managing program and the external device transmittingprogram may be described in a single program and implemented in thedevice management device according to the present disclosure.

Next, the information transforming process performed by the transformingunit 107 will be described. In order to simplify the description, thedevice information stored in the device information database 105 issimplified, and the information transforming process will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the device basic information.As shown in FIG. 7, the device basic information contains items ofserial number, IP address, model name, and option ID. FIG. 8 is adiagram showing an example of the option information. As shown in FIG.8, the option information contains items of option ID, option name, andoption version.

It is assumed that the device information managing unit 103 has detecteda new installation event of the device connected to the networks. Inthis case, the device information managing unit 103 registers the deviceinformation of the device the new installation of which has beendetected, into the device information database 105, and outputs thedevice information to the transforming unit 107.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of theinformation transmitted to the transforming unit 107. As shown in FIG.9, the device information managing unit 103 transmits the source datavalues of the device information to the transforming unit 107.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of theinformation transmitted to the asset management device 2. As shown inFIG. 10, the information shown in FIG. 9 is transformed into data in anXML (extensible markup language) form that enables the asset managementdevice to manage the received data (the information shown in FIG. 10) asthe asset information. In this respect, what kind of data format can bemanaged by the asset management device is predetermined by a developerof the asset management device.

The transforming unit 107 of this embodiment is configured to receivethe information as shown in FIG. 9, and to transform the receivedinformation into the information as shown in FIG. 10, in order totransmit the resulting information to the asset management device 2.Thereby, the data communication between the device management device 1and the asset management device 2 can be carried out.

When the data format of data that can be managed by the asset managementdevice 2 is changed, the data format of data that is output from thetransforming unit 107 must be changed accordingly. Furthermore, when thedevice management device 1 is connected to a plurality of assetmanagement devices dealing with different data formats, the devicemanagement device 1 may be constructed to include a number oftransforming units corresponding to the respective data formats of theasset management devices. For example, the different data formats mayinclude data formats in which the characters of the tags are differentfrom those in the data format of the information shown in FIG. 10, orthe sequence of the tags is different from that in the data format ofthe information shown in FIG. 10, or the programming language isdifferent from that in the data format of the information shown in FIG.10.

It is assumed that the device information managing unit 103 has detectedaddition of an option. For example, it is assumed that, when the deviceinformation is received from the device with the serial number “123” asshown in FIG. 7, an option ID “3” has been added. In this case, thedevice information managing unit 103 compares the device informationreceived from the device (for example, MFP) with the serial number “123”with the device information of the serial number “123” stored in thedevice information database 105, and detects the addition of the optionID “3”.

At this time, the device information managing unit 103 acquires theoption information of the option ID “3” from the option informationstored in the device information database 105 (FIG. 8). Next, the deviceinformation managing unit 103 outputs the serial number “123” of thedevice concerned and the option information of the option ID “3” to thetransforming unit 107.

In this case, the transforming unit 107 transforms the serial number andthe option information, received from the device information managingunit 103, into the data in the data format as in FIG. 10. The externaldevice transmitting unit 106 transmits the transformed information tothe asset management device 2 by using the http.

Similarly, when the device information managing unit 103 detects theevents of movement, change and disposal, the transforming unit 107performs the same processing as in the above-described examples, and theexternal device transmitting unit 106 transmits the transformedinformation to the asset management device 2.

Next, a process of detection of IMACD events performed by the devicemanagement device 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart forexplaining the process of detection of IMACD events performed by thedevice management device 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, at step S101, the device information managing unit103 checks new installation of a device. The device information managingunit 103 periodically receives the device information from the devicesconnected to the network. At this time, if the device, the deviceinformation of which is not stored in the device information database105, is detected, the device information managing unit 103 detects thenew installation event of the device.

The device information managing unit 103 transmits a request to all theIP addresses of the devices being managed, and, if a response isreceived from the devices, the device information managing unit 103receives the device information from the device with the responsereceived.

At step S102, the device information managing unit 103 checks movementof a device. The device information managing unit 103 periodicallyreceives the device information from the devices connected to thenetwork. At this time, if a change in the IP address of the deviceinformation of a device stored in the device information database 105 isdetected, or if a change in the place information of the deviceinformation of a device is detected, the device information managingunit 103 detects the movement event of the device.

At step S103, the device information managing unit 103 checks additionof an option/application/firmware in a device. The device informationmanaging unit 103 periodically receives the device information from thedevices connected to the network. At this time, if addition of theoption information, the application information, or the firmwareinformation in the device information of a device stored in the deviceinformation database 105 is detected, the device information managingunit 103 detects the addition event of the device.

At step S104, the device information managing unit 103 checks change ofsetup information in a device. The device information managing unit 103periodically receives the device information from the devices connectedto the network. At this time, if a change in the setup information ofthe device information of a device stored in the device informationdatabase 105 is detected, the device information managing unit 103detects the change event of the device.

At step S105, the device information managing unit 103 checks disposalof a device. The device information managing unit 103 periodicallyreceives the device information from the devices connected to thenetwork. At this time, if a response from a device the deviceinformation of which is stored in the device information database 105cannot be received, or if accessing a device on the network isimpossible, the device information managing unit 103 detects thedisposal event of the device.

When at least one of the IMACD events is detected in the stepsS101-S105, the control is transferred to step S106. At step S106, thedevice information managing unit 103 receives the present date/time fromthe timer 104.

At step S107, the device information managing unit 103 outputs both thedevice information received from the device the at least one of theIMACD events of which has been detected and the present date/timereceived from the timer 104 to the transforming unit 107.

Specifically, in the case of detection of the new installation event,the device information managing unit 103 outputs the device informationreceived from the newly installed device and the date/time informationreceived from the timer 104 to the transforming unit 107. At this time,the device information managing unit 103 registers the deviceinformation of the newly installed device and the received date/timeinformation (the first discovery date/time) in the device informationdatabase 105.

In the case of detection of the movement event, the device informationmanaging unit 103 outputs the IP address of the device informationreceived from the moved device, the serial number of the device, and thedate/time information received from the timer 104, to the transformingunit 107.

In the case of detection of the addition event, the device informationmanaging unit 103 outputs the option information of the added option,the application information or the firmware information, the serialnumber of the device, and the date/time information received from thetimer 104, to the transforming unit 107.

In the case of detection of the change event, the device informationmanaging unit 103 outputs the setup information including the changedsetup value, the serial number of the device, and the date/timeinformation received from the timer 104, to the transforming unit 107.

In the case of detection of the disposal event, the device informationmanaging unit 103 outputs the serial number of the device and thedate/time information received from the timer 104 (which corresponds tothe disposal date/time information) to the transforming unit 107. Atthis time, the device information managing unit 103 registers thedate/time received from the timer 104 in the device information database105 as the disposal date/time information.

At step S108, the transforming unit 107 transforms the informationreceived from the device information managing unit 103 into data in thedata format that enables the asset management device 2 to manage thedata. For example, the transforming unit 107 performs the transformingprocess as follows.

In the case of detection of the new installation event, the processingunit 107 transforms the device information and the date/time informationreceived from the device information managing unit 103 into the data inthe date format that enables the asset management device 2 to manage thedata.

In the case of detection of the movement event, the transforming unit107 transforms the IP address, the serial number, and the date/timeinformation received from the device information managing unit 103 intothe data in the date format that enables the asset management device 2to manage the data. The transforming unit 107 performs the same processin the case of detection of the movement event related to the placeinformation.

In the case of detection of the addition event, the transforming unit107 transforms the option information (or the application information,or the firmware information), the serial number, and the date/timeinformation received from the device information managing unit 103 intothe data in the date format that enables the asset management device 2to manage the data.

In the case of detection of the change event, the transforming unit 107transforms the setup information, the serial number, and the date/timeinformation received from the device information managing unit 103 intothe data in the date format that enables the asset management device 2to manage the data. The device information managing unit 103 performsthe same process in the case of detection of the change event related tothe option version, the application version or the firmware version.

In the case of detection of the disposal event, the transforming unit107 transforms the serial number and the disposal date/time informationreceived from the device information managing unit 103 into the data inthe date format that enables the asset management device 2 to manage thedata. The transforming unit 107 performs the same process with respectto the event detected by the device information managing unit 103.

At step S109, the transforming unit 107 outputs the resulting data inthe data format that can be managed by the asset management device 2, tothe external device transmitting unit 106. At step S110, the externaldevice transmitting unit 106 transmits the resulting data in the dataformat that can be managed by the asset management device 2, to theasset management device 2.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the informationused for the asset management can be transmitted to the asset managementdevice, and the asset management device can perform efficient assetmanagement. According to the first embodiment, by providing the programfor performing the external device transmitting unit 106 which isseparate from the program for performing the device information managingunit 103, the device management device can be flexibly adapted to be inconformity with a change of the data format that can be managed by theasset management device.

Moreover, according to the first embodiment, the device informationmanaging unit 103 receives the device information by using thecommunication protocol specific to each of the devices, such as MFPs orLPs, on the network, and the option information and the applicationinformation specific to each device can be acquired. The deviceinformation managing unit 103 may be arranged to extract only theinformation used for the asset management from the received deviceinformation, and to perform the comparison process of the extractedinformation, and performance of unnecessary processes may be omitted.

Next, a device management device of a second embodiment of the presentdisclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the deviceinformation is received from each of the MFPs or LPs which use mutuallydifferent communication protocols. The hardware composition of thedevice management device 1 of the second embodiment is essentially thesame as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of thedevice management device 1 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG.12, device communication units 502 and 503 are additionally provided inthe device management device 1 of the first embodiment. Each of thedevice communication units 502 and 503 has the same function as theacquisition unit 131 shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 12, the elements which arethe same as corresponding elements in FIG. 3 are designated by the samereference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, a device information managing unit 501 of thisembodiment selects one of the device communication units according tothe communication protocol specific to the MFP from which the deviceinformation is received. The details of the device information managingunit 501 will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the functional composition of adevice information managing unit 501 in the device management device 1of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the device information managing unit 501 isconstructed to include a selection unit 511, a detection unit 512, andan output unit 133.

The selection unit 511 selects one of the device communication units 502and 503 according to the communication protocol of the image formingdevice from which the device information is received. For example, whenreception of device information is performed periodically, the selectionunit 511 is arranged to initially perform the communication by using thedevice communication unit 502, and, after the communication by using thedevice communication unit 502 is completed, the selection unit 511 isarranged to subsequently perform the communication by using the devicecommunication unit 503.

The detection unit 512 compares the device information received throughthe selection unit 511 with the device information stored in the deviceinformation database 105, and detects at least one of the IMACD eventsof the devices on the network. The process performed by the devicemanagement device of this embodiment after the end of the detection ofthe IMACD events is essentially the same as that of the firstembodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 12, the device communication unit 502 and thedevice communication unit 503 perform respective communications with thedevices (MFPs or LPs) by using the mutually different communicationprotocols. For example, the device communication unit 502 may be acommunication unit arranged to perform communication by using the SOAP(simple object access protocol), and the device communication unit 503may be a communication unit arranged to perform communication by usingthe private SNMP (simple network management protocol).

The MFPs and the LPs that perform communication by using the SOAPcommunicate with the device communication unit 502, while the MFPs andthe LPs that perform communication by using the private SNMP communicatewith the device communication unit 503.

In this case, if an MFP or LP that performs communication by using theprivate SNMP is a device of another manufacturer and the private SNMP isunknown, it is difficult to receive the device information from the MFPor LP. However, there is a tool of a third party vendor for analyzingthe communication protocol specific to such a manufacturer and enablingthe device management device to communicate with the MFP or LP. Forexample, the communication protocol specific to the manufacturer is theprivate SNMP. If the above-described tool is used, the devicecommunication unit 503 is allowed to perform the communication with theMFP or LP.

The device information database 105 may be arranged to additionally setthe address information of the private SNMP. If the address informationof the private SNMP is added, it is possible to acquire the deviceinformation of the MFP or LP by accessing the device informationdatabase 105 at the address corresponding to the address information.

The process performed by the device management device of the secondembodiment after reception of the device information from the MFPs andLPs on the network is completed is essentially the same as that of thefirst embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

For example, the above-described functions of the device communicationunits 502 and 503 in the second embodiment may be performed by thecontrol part 11, the main memory part 12, and the network interface part15. The above-described functions of the device communication units 502and 503 may be performed by a computer (or the CPU of the control part11) in accordance with a device-implemented device communication programwhen executed by the computer. This device communication program may bedescribed in a program file separate from a program file of the deviceinformation managing program.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when theMFPs and LPs using the mutually different communication protocols existin the network, the device information can be received from each of theMFPs and LPs. According to the second embodiment, by providing thedevice communication program for performing the functions of the devicecommunication unit which is separate from the device informationmanaging program, the device management device can be flexibly adaptedto be in conformity with the MFPs and LPs which perform respectivecommunication by using their specific communication protocols.

In a modification of the foregoing embodiments, the device managementdevice may be arranged to reduce the loads of the device managementdevice. In this modification, when the device information is received,the device management device transforms the device information into datain the data format that can be managed by the asset management device,and transmits the resulting data to the asset management device. Then,the asset management device compares the received device informationwith the device information of a corresponding device stored in theasset information database, and detects at least one of the IMACD eventsof the device. The asset management device updates the asset informationby using the information related to the detected event.

If the detection of the IMACD events is performed by the assetmanagement device, the device management device of this modification maybe arranged to transform the received device information and transmitthe resulting data to the asset management device. Accordingly, it ispossible to reduce the loads of the device management device.

As described in the foregoing, in the device management device accordingto the present disclosure, the information used for asset management canbe transmitted to the asset management device, and the asset managementdevice is allowed to perform efficient asset management.

The present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosedembodiments, and variations and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a device management devicethat is connected to devices via a network; and an asset managementdevice that is connected to the device management device via the networkfor managing assets of the devices on the network, wherein the devicemanagement device includes: a storage part to store device informationpieces of the devices; a first acquisition part to acquire a deviceinformation piece of one of the devices via the network in accordancewith a communication protocol that conforms to the one of the devices; adetection part to compare the device information piece acquired by thefirst acquisition part with each of the device information pieces storedin the storage part, and to detect at least one of installation,movement, addition, change, and disposal events with respect to the oneof the devices; a transforming part to transform both identificationinformation of the one of the devices and device information itemscorresponding to the at least one event detected by the detection partinto data that enables the asset management device to manage the data;and a transmission part to transmit the data from the transforming partto the asset management device via the network, and wherein the assetmanagement device includes: a second acquisition part to acquire, fromthe device management device via the network, the device informationitems corresponding to the at least one event and the identificationinformation of the one of the devices; an update part to update assetinformation of asset registered in the asset management device accordingto the device information items corresponding to the at least one eventand the identification information of the one of the devices, and amanagement part to manage updated asset information.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the transforming part transforms thedevice information items corresponding to the at least one event and theidentification information of the one of the devices into data in a dataformat that allows the asset management device to manage the data. 3.The system according to claim 1, wherein the first acquisition partcomprises a plurality of device communication parts each arranged toconform to one of mutually different communication protocols of thedevices and to communicate with a corresponding one of the devices viathe network, and the device management device further comprises aselection part to select one of the plurality of device communicationparts in accordance with the communication protocol that conforms to theone of the devices, so that the first acquisition part is allowed toacquire the device information piece of the one of the devices throughthe selected device communication part.
 4. The system according to claim1, wherein the detection part is arranged to extract information itemsthat are managed by the asset management device from among items of thedevice information piece acquired by the first acquisition part, so thatthe detection part compares the extracted information items withcorresponding items of each of the device information pieces stored inthe storage part.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the firstacquisition part and the detection part are implemented as a firstprogram, and the transforming part and the transmission part areimplemented as a second program that is separated from the firstprogram.
 6. An asset management device control method for use in asystem including a device management device that is connected to devicesand an asset management device via a network, the asset managementdevice control method comprising: acquiring, by an acquisition part ofthe asset management device, from the device management device via thenetwork, at least one of installation, movement, addition, change, anddisposal events with respect to one of the devices and identificationinformation of the one of the devices; updating, by an update part ofthe asset management device, asset information of asset registered inthe asset management device according to the device information itemscorresponding to the at least one event and the identificationinformation of the one of the devices, and managing, by a managementpart of the asset management device, updated asset information.
 7. Anasset management device for use in a system including a devicemanagement device that is connected to devices and the asset managementdevice via a network, said asset management device comprising: anacquisition part to acquire, from the device management device via thenetwork, at least one of installation, movement, addition, change, anddisposal events with respect to one of the devices and identificationinformation of the one of the devices; an update part to update assetinformation of asset registered in the asset management device accordingto the device information items corresponding to the at least one eventand the identification information of the one of the devices, and amanagement part to manage updated asset information.